Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To receive designation of the storage destinations of both masked image data and image data which is not masked yet, from a user.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: a generation unit which generates second image data by masking first image data; an acquisition unit which acquires designation of a first storage destination and designation of a second storage destination individually from a user; and a storage unit which stores the first image data in the first storage destination and stores the second image data in the second storage destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] When sharing an image including personal or confidential information with others, a process of painting over the portion containing such information may be performed. This process is called a masking process. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for saving image data before the masking process, together with image data after the masking process, in order to enable the target position of the masking process to be corrected later. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4977242 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to accept from the user designation of storage destinations for both image data that has been subjected to masking processing and image data before the masking processing is performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to some embodiments, there is provided an information processing device comprising: a generating means for generating second image data by performing a masking process on first image data; an acquiring means for acquiring a first storage destination designation and a second storage destination designation individually from a user; and a storing means for storing the first image data in the first storage destination and the second image data in the second storage destination. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to receive from the user designation of storage destinations for both image data that has been subjected to masking processing and image data before the masking processing is performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration and hardware configuration of a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the software configuration of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an information processing method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of an initial screen and a preset selection screen according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a scan execution screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a region setting screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of region information according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an output confirmation screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a save destination setting screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a name setting screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of preset information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an output confirmation screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a saving operation according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an output confirmation screen according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a folder configuration according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0009] <First embodiment> [System and hardware configuration] The overall configuration and hardware configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The image processing system may include a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 100 and a storage server 120. The image processing system may also include other devices. The MFP 100 is connected to the Internet 140 via a local area network (LAN) 150. The storage server 120 is also connected to the Internet 140. The MFP 100 can communicate with the storage server 120 through the Internet 140 and the LAN 150.

[0010] The MFP 100 is a device having multiple main functions such as a scan function and a print function. The MFP 100 is an example of an image forming device. Instead of the MFP 100, a device having only a scan function as a main function (a so-called dedicated machine) may be used. The MFP 100 also has a function of transferring image data to the storage server 120. The image data may be data representing an image. The image data is obtained, for example, by the MFP 100 scanning a document. Although only one MFP 100 is shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system may have multiple MFPs.

[0011] The storage server 120 provides a storage service to one or more client devices including the MFP 100. The storage service may be a service that stores data received from a client device via the Internet 140 and provides the stored data in response to a request from the client device. A storage area provided by the storage service may be called storage. The client device may access the storage server 120 using a web browser or a dedicated application. For example, the storage server 120 may provide an interface that complies with a protocol such as REST (Representational State Transfer) or SOAP. The client device may store data in the storage server 120 or read the stored data from the storage server 120 through this interface. The storage service may also be called online storage. In the following description, the storage server 120 manages data in a file format. Alternatively, the storage server 120 may manage data in another format. Although only one storage server 120 is shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system may have multiple storage servers. The multiple storage servers may provide separate storage services. The MFP 100 may be able to use these multiple storage services.

[0012] The storage server 120 may be arranged in a cloud environment or an on-premise environment. In the example of FIG. 1, the MFP 100 can communicate with the storage server 120 through the Internet 140 and the LAN 150. Alternatively, the storage server 120 may be connected to the LAN 150. In this case, the MFP 100 can communicate with the storage server 120 without going through the Internet 140. Furthermore, the MFP 100 may have a storage function of the storage server 120. In this case, the MFP 100 may store image data in itself instead of storing image data in the storage server 120. Instead of the storage server 120, another device may store image data transmitted from the MFP 100. For example, the MFP 100 may attach image data to an email and transmit it to a mail server, and the mail server may store the image data.

[0013] The hardware configuration of MFP 100 will be described. MFP 100 may include control unit 101, operation unit 111, printer unit 112, scanner unit 113, and modem 114. Control unit 101 controls the overall operation of MFP 100. Control unit 101 functions as an information processing device. Control unit 101 may include components 102-110. Control unit 101 may not include some of components 102-110, or may include components different from components 102-110.

[0014] A central processing unit (CPU) 102 controls the overall operation of the control unit 101. For example, the CPU 102 reads a control program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 103 or a hard disk drive (HDD) 105 into a random access memory (RAM) 104, and executes the read control program. The control program defines the operation of a plurality of functions (e.g., reading, printing, communication, etc.) possessed by the MFP 100. The RAM 104 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or a work area of ​​the CPU 102. Only one CPU 102 is shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the control unit 101 may have a plurality of CPUs, and the plurality of CPUs may cooperate to realize the operation of the control unit 101. The same applies to the ROM 103 and the RAM 104.

[0015] HDD 105 is a secondary storage device that stores image data and various programs. Operation unit interface (I / F) 106 is an interface for connecting operation unit 111 and control unit 101. Operation unit 111 is a device for acquiring input (e.g., instructions, etc.) from a user of MFP 100 and outputting information to the user. In the following description, the user of MFP 100 will be simply referred to as the user. Operation unit 111 is configured by, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, buttons, a display, etc. The touch panel and the display may be configured integrally as a touch screen.

[0016] The printer I / F 107 is an interface for connecting the printer unit 112 and the control unit 101. Image data to be printed is transferred from the control unit 101 to the printer unit 112 via the printer I / F 107, and is printed on a recording medium. The scanner I / F 108 is an interface for connecting the scanner unit 113 and the control unit 101. The scanner unit 113 generates image data by reading an original placed on a platen glass or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), not shown, and inputs the image data to the control unit 101 via the scanner I / F 108. The MFP 100 may print (copy) the image data generated by the scanner unit 113 from the printer unit 112. Alternatively or in addition to this, the MFP 100 may transmit the image data to the storage server 120, or may attach the image data to an e-mail and transmit it to a mail server.

[0017] The modem I / F 109 is an interface for connecting the modem 114 and the control unit 101. The modem 114 transmits image data to a facsimile machine through a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). The network I / F 110 is an interface for connecting the control unit 101 to a LAN 150. The MFP 100 uses the network I / F 110 to transmit image data and information to each service on the Internet 140 and to receive various information.

[0018] The hardware configuration of the storage server 120 will be described. The storage server 120 may include a control unit 121. The control unit 121 controls the overall operation of the storage server 120. The control unit 121 functions as an information processing device. The control unit 121 may include components 122 to 126. The control unit 121 may not include some of the components 122 to 126, or may include components different from the components 122 to 126.

[0019] The CPU 122 controls the operation of the entire control unit 121. For example, the CPU 122 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 123 or the HDD 125 into the RAM 124, and executes the read control program. The control program defines the operation of a plurality of functions (e.g., saving, reading, communication, etc.) possessed by the storage server 120. The RAM 124 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory or work area of ​​the CPU 122. Only one CPU 122 is shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the control unit 121 may have a plurality of CPUs, and the plurality of CPUs may cooperate to realize the operation of the control unit 121. The same applies to the ROM 123 and the RAM 124.

[0020] The HDD 125 is a secondary storage device that stores image data and various programs. The network I / F 126 is an interface for connecting the control unit 121 to the Internet 140. The storage server 120 receives requests from other devices (such as the MFP 100) via the network I / F 126, and transmits or receives various information in response to the requests.

[0021] [MFP software configuration] The software configuration of the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The MFP 100 may include functional units 201-203 and 211-217. The MFP 100 may not include some of the functional units 201-203 and 211-217, or may include functional units different from the functional units 201-203 and 211-217. The functional units 201-203 and 211-217 may be realized by the CPU 102 executing a program read into the RAM 104. Alternatively, at least some of the functional units 201-203 and 211-217 may be realized by a dedicated integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Some of the functional units 201-203 and 211-217 may be realized by another device located on the Internet 140 or the LAN 150.

[0022] The functional units 201 to 203 and 211 to 217 may be divided into a native functional unit 200 and an additional functional unit 210. For example, the native functional unit 200 may include the functional units 201 to 203, and the additional functional unit 210 may include the functional units 211 to 217. The functional units 201 to 203 and 211 to 217 may be divided differently, or may all be included in the native functional unit 200. The native functional unit 200 may be a functional unit that is included as standard in the MFP 100 (for example, a functional unit that is included when the MFP 100 is shipped). The additional functional unit 210 may be a functional unit that is added to the MFP 100 after shipping. For example, the additional functional unit 210 may be realized by installing an additional application in the MFP 100. The additional application may be an application based on Java (registered trademark).

[0023] Display control unit 211 controls the display on operation unit 111 (e.g., a touch screen) of MFP 100. For example, display control unit 211 displays a UI (user interface) screen for acquiring instructions from a user on operation unit 111 of MFP 100. In the following description, the UI screen is simply referred to as a screen. Specific examples of screens displayed on operation unit 111 will be described later. Unless otherwise specified, the screen (i.e., the UI screen) acquires instructions from the user.

[0024] The scan instruction unit 212 requests the scan execution unit 201 to execute a scan process according to the scan settings input via the UI screen. The scan execution unit 201 receives a scan request including the scan settings from the scan instruction unit 212. The scan execution unit 201 generates image data by reading an original placed on a platen glass or an original set in an ADF with the scanner unit 113 according to the scan request. An image read by scanning an original is called a scanned image, and data representing the scanned image is called scanned image data. The generated scanned image data is sent to the image data storage unit 202. The scan execution unit 201 sends an image identifier that uniquely indicates the stored scanned image data to the scan instruction unit 212. The image identifier is a number, a symbol, an alphabet, or the like for uniquely identifying image data such as scanned image data in the MFP 100. The image data storage unit 202 stores the scanned image data received from the scan execution unit 201 in the HDD 105.

[0025] The image processing unit 213 performs processing (e.g., analysis processing and processing) on ​​the scanned image. The image processing unit 213 receives an image identifier from the scan instruction unit 212, and acquires scanned image data corresponding to the image identifier from the image data storage unit 202. The image processing unit 213 may perform recognition processing on the acquired image data. The recognition processing may include character region analysis, OCR (Optical Character Recognition), barcode region analysis, and correction of image rotation and tilt.

[0026] The image processing unit 213 may generate a new image by compositing a mask image on the scanned image according to the settings of the mask area input via the UI screen. The process of compositing a mask image on an image represented by certain image data may be called a masking process on the image data. The masking process may also be called blackout. Image data generated by performing a masking process on the scanned image data is called mask-composited image data. The scanned image may be an identification document, an application document, a drawing, or the like, and the mask image may be placed on personal information or confidential information included in the scanned image. The scanned image may already include a mask image. Even in this case, the user may cover another part of the scanned image with the mask image.

[0027] Thereafter, the image processing unit 213 may instruct the image data storage unit 202 to store the mask composite image data. The image processing unit 213 sends an image identifier of the mask composite image data to the print instruction unit 215, the data conversion unit 216, and the external storage access unit 217 in accordance with the output settings set in the mask composite image data.

[0028] The data management unit 214 holds information indicating an area in which a mask image is to be placed, and information such as a character string, a file name, a folder name, and a storage destination in association with an image identifier. The data management unit 214 may also store this information in the HDD 105 as a preset setting.

[0029] The print instruction unit 215 sends a request for print processing according to the print settings specified via the screen and the image identifier received from the image processing unit 213 to the print execution unit 203. The print execution unit 203 receives the print request including the print settings and the image identifier from the print instruction unit 215. The print execution unit 203 obtains image data corresponding to the image identifier from the image data storage unit 202, and generates image data for printing according to the print request. The print execution unit 203 prints a mask composite image on a recording medium by the printer unit 112 according to the generated image data for printing.

[0030] Data conversion unit 216 obtains image data corresponding to the image identifier received from image processing unit 213 from image data storage unit 202, and converts the image data into a file format according to the output setting specified via the screen. Data conversion unit 216 obtains a file name corresponding to the image identifier received from image processing unit 213 from data management unit 214, and sets this as the file name of the converted file. Data conversion unit 216 sends the converted file and the corresponding image identifier to data management unit 214. Data management unit 214 holds the received file in association with the image identifier.

[0031] The external storage access unit 217 requests the storage server 120 to store the image data. The external storage access unit 217 operates the storage service using an interface provided by the storage server 120. For example, the external storage access unit 217 acquires a file corresponding to the image identifier received from the image processing unit 213 and transmission information from the data management unit 214. The external storage access unit 217 transmits the file acquired from the data management unit 214 to the storage server 120 via the network I / F 110 using the transmission information acquired from the data management unit 214.

[0032] [MFP operation flow] With reference to FIG. 3, an information processing method executed by MFP 100 (specifically, its control unit 101) will be described. Each step of the method of FIG. 3 may be performed by CPU 102 reading and executing a control program stored in ROM 103 or HDD 105. The control program to be executed may be an application additionally installed in MFP 100. In the following description, the application that executes the method of FIG. 3 is called a masking application. The method of FIG. 3 may be started in response to a masking application being selected by a user on a main screen displayed on operation unit 111 (for example, its touch screen) by starting MFP 100, and the masking application being started. At least a part of the method of FIG. 3 may be executed by a dedicated integrated circuit such as an ASIC instead of CPU 102.

[0033] In S301, the MFP 100 displays an initial screen 400 of the masking application on the operation unit 111. The initial screen 400 may be a screen for acquiring a designation of an initial setting of the masking application. An example of the initial screen 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 4(a). The initial screen 400 may include objects shown in FIG. 4(a). The objects included in the screen (i.e., the UI screen) may also be called graphic objects. The initial screen 400 may include objects not shown in FIG. 4(a), or may not include some of the objects shown in FIG. 4(a). The objects of the initial screen 400 may be replaced with other types of objects capable of realizing the same function. Such changes to the initial screen 400 are also possible for other screens described below. Each object included in each screen described below may be a single object unless it is explicitly indicated that it is a plurality of objects.

[0034] Button 401 is an object for obtaining an instruction to display a list of preset settings registered in MFP 100. The preset may be a process of pre-saving settings related to scans, mask areas, file storage information, and the like in HDD 105 of MFP 100 and making the settings reusable. The preset settings may be preset settings. Button 402 is an object for obtaining an instruction to use default settings as the initial settings of the masking application. Regardless of which setting is selected as the initial setting, MFP 100 may allow the user to manually change the setting.

[0035] MFP 100 transitions the process to S302 in response to the user pressing either button 401 or button 402 on initial screen 400. In S302, MFP 100 determines whether the user pressed button 401 ("Preset") or button 402 ("Manual"). If it is determined that the user pressed button 401 ("YES" in S302), MFP 100 transitions the process to S303, and if it is determined that the user pressed button 402 ("NO" in S302), MFP 100 transitions the process to S304.

[0036] In S303, the MFP 100 displays a preset selection screen 410 on the operation unit 111. The preset selection screen 410 may be a screen for acquiring a selection of a preset setting. An example of the preset selection screen 410 will be described with reference to FIG. 4(b). The list 411 is an object for acquiring a designation of a preset setting. The list 411 includes one or more buttons for acquiring the designation of each of one or more preset settings registered in the masking app. The preset settings registered in the masking app may be settings registered when the user previously executed the method of FIG. 3, or may be settings that the masking app has from the beginning.

[0037] In response to a user pressing any button included in list 411, MFP 100 reads out a preset setting associated with the button from HDD 105 and stores the preset setting in RAM 104 for subsequent processing. A unique preset ID may be assigned to each preset setting. Each button included in list 411 may be associated with a preset ID. Alternatively, a button ID uniquely assigned to each button included in list 411 may be associated with the preset setting. For example, in response to a user pressing a button labeled "insurance card," MFP 100 reads out a preset setting associated with this button. After reading out the preset setting, MFP 100 transitions the process to S304.

[0038] The button 412 is an object for acquiring an instruction to return to the initial screen 400. In response to the user pressing the button 412, the MFP 100 may display the initial screen 400 again and transition the process to S301.

[0039] In S304, MFP 100 displays scan execution screen 500 on operation unit 111. Scan execution screen 500 may be a screen for acquiring an instruction to start scanning. Settings related to scanning may be acquired in scan execution screen 500. When a preset setting is read into RAM 104 in S303, MFP 100 may display scan execution screen 500 in a state where this preset setting is reflected. When "Default" is selected on initial screen 400 displayed in S302, MFP 100 may display scan execution screen 500 using the default setting.

[0040] An example of the scan execution screen 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The output setting object 501 is an object for acquiring a designation of an output method of the mask composite image. The output setting object 501 may include a plurality of buttons that can be selected alternatively. In the example of FIG. 5, the output setting object 501 includes a button for acquiring a designation of performing both printing and saving, a button for acquiring a designation of performing only printing, and a button for acquiring a designation of performing only saving. The pull-down list 502 is an object for acquiring a designation of a file format when saving the mask composite image data. The pull-down list 502 may be enabled only when "print and save" or "save only" is selected in the output setting object 501.

[0041] Check button 503 is an object for obtaining a designation of whether or not to save the scanned image data (i.e., image data before the masking process is performed). In FIG. 5, the scanned image is referred to as the "original." This is similar to the other drawings described below. When check button 503 is checked (i.e., checked), the scanned image data will be saved in subsequent processing. On the other hand, when check button 503 is not checked (i.e., not checked), the scanned image data will not be saved in subsequent processing.

[0042] The scan setting object 504 is an object for acquiring the specification of the scan settings of the document. In the example of Fig. 5, the scan setting object 504 includes a pull-down list for acquiring the specification of the document size, a pull-down list for acquiring the specification of the surface to be scanned, and a pull-down list for acquiring the specification of the color setting. The scan setting object 504 further includes a button for acquiring an instruction to perform detailed settings. In the detailed settings, it may be possible to acquire the specification of the resolution, image quality, mixed document sizes, density, etc.

[0043] The start scan button 505 is an object for obtaining an instruction to start scanning a document. The display field 506 is an object for displaying the number of pages that have been scanned. The button 507 is an object for obtaining an instruction to return to the previous screen (for example, the initial screen 400 or the preset selection screen 410). The button 508 is an object for obtaining an instruction to proceed to the next screen.

[0044] In response to a user pressing a scan start button 505 on the scan execution screen 500, the MFP 100 transitions the process to S305. In S305, the MFP 100 starts scanning an original placed on the platen glass of the MFP 100 by the user or an original set in the ADF. Specifically, the MFP 100 generates image data by digitizing the original. As described above, this image data is called scanned image data. The MFP 100 further generates an image identifier that uniquely identifies the scanned image data. The MFP 100 stores the scanned image data and the image identifier in the HDD 105 in association with each other. The MFP 100 increments the number of pages displayed in the display field 506 by one each time the generation of a scanned image for one page is completed.

[0045] After completing scanning of the document, MFP 100 transitions the process to S306 in response to the user pressing button 508 on scan execution screen 500. In S306, MFP 100 analyzes the scanned image. For example, MFP 100 may extract a text area present in the scanned image and identify the coordinates of the text area and the text within the text area. MFP 100 stores the analysis result in HDD 105 in association with an image identifier.

[0046] In response to the completion of the analysis in S306, in S307, MFP 100 displays region setting screen 600 on operation unit 111. Region setting screen 600 may be a screen for acquiring the setting of the mask region. The setting of the mask region may be performed by any method, such as setting based on a coordinate position, setting based on a character string, or setting based on an attribute. The following describes a case where the mask region is set based on a coordinate position. When a preset setting is read into RAM 104 in S303, MFP 100 may display region setting screen 600 in a state where this preset setting is reflected. When "default" is selected on initial screen 400 displayed in S302, MFP 100 may display region setting screen 600 using the default setting.

[0047] 6(a), an example of region setting screen 600 will be described. Display field 601 is an object for displaying preview image 620 of the scanned image generated in S305. If preview image 620 does not fit in display field 601, MFP 100 may display a scroll bar adjacent to display field 601. Button 603 is an object for acquiring an instruction to delete a mask region selected on preview image 620.

[0048] Icon 604 is an object for acquiring an instruction to decrease the display magnification of preview image 620 by a predetermined amount. Icon 604 is an object for acquiring an instruction to display preview image 620 in its entirety at maximum size in display field 602. Icon 606 is an object for acquiring an instruction to increase the display magnification of preview image 620 by a predetermined amount.

[0049] Icon 607 is an object for obtaining an instruction to display the scanned image of the previous page in the display field 601 when the scanned image spans multiple pages. Display field 608 is an object for displaying the page number and total number of pages of the scanned image being displayed in the display field 601. Icon 609 is an object for obtaining an instruction to display the scanned image of the next page in the display field 601 when the scanned image spans multiple pages.

[0050] Button 610 is an object for acquiring a designation of the color of the mask region. The designation of the color of the mask region may be a designation of a single color used to fill the mask region, or may include a fill effect such as a mosaic or stamp. Toggle button 611 is an object for acquiring a designation of whether to display the mask region of preview image 620 in a semi-transparent state. When toggle button 611 is enabled, MFP 100 displays the mask region in a semi-transparent state so that the user can visually recognize the portion (e.g., character string) below the mask region. When toggle button 611 is disabled, MFP 100 displays the mask region in a non-transparent state so that the user cannot visually recognize the portion below the mask region.

[0051] Toggle button 612 is an object for obtaining an instruction to transition to a mode for changing a mask area displayed on preview image 620. Toggle button 613 is an object for obtaining an instruction to transition to a mode for adding a new mask area on preview image 620. Toggle button 612 and toggle button 613 may be alternatively selectable.

[0052] The mask area may be set by the user touching the inside of the display field 601 with a finger. For example, in response to the operation unit 111 detecting a touch in the display field 601, the MFP 100 starts drawing a rectangle with the touched position as the start point. After that, in response to the operation unit 111 detecting a touch release (lift-off) in the display field 601, the MFP 100 sets the touch release position as the end point of the rectangle. The user can freely change the touch position between the touch and the touch release. The MFP 100 displays a rectangle with the start point and end point specified by the user as diagonal corners. This rectangle is displayed in a color specified using the button 610. The MFP 100 stores the start point, end point, and color specified by the user in association with each other. The area masked by the touch operation may be a character string, or may be an area such as a barcode or a photo.

[0053] The button 614 is an object for obtaining an instruction to return to the previous screen (for example, the scan execution screen 500). The button 615 is an object for obtaining an instruction to proceed to the next screen.

[0054] 10(b) illustrates an example of the area setting screen 600 after the user has set three mask areas 631-633 on the display field 601. Because the toggle button 611 is enabled, the mask areas 631-633 are displayed semi-transparently. When the toggle button 611 is disabled, the mask areas 631-633 are displayed non-transparently in the color specified by the button 610.

[0055] In the region setting screen 600 in FIG. 6B, the toggle button 612 is selected, so that the MFP 100 operates in a mode for changing the mask region displayed on the preview image 620. In FIG. 6B, the mask region 631 is selected as a change target. The selected mask region 631 may be highlighted by displaying a thick frame, for example. In addition, in order to make the user aware that the mask region 631 can be changed, a square icon is displayed at the center and each corner of the mask region 631. The user can adjust the position of the mask region 631 by dragging and moving the square icon. When the user drags and moves the square icon, the point or line on the diagonal where the square icon is displayed becomes the starting point, and the mask region 631 is expanded / reduced in the direction of movement from there. When the user drags any other position of the mask region 631, the mask region 631 moves while maintaining its size.

[0056] When any mask region is selected, the MFP 100 may make the button 603 operable. For example, the MFP 100 deletes the mask region 631 from the display field 601 in response to the user pressing the button 603 while the mask region 631 is selected.

[0057] An example of region information 700 regarding a mask region set for a scanned image will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the region information 700 is represented in a table format. Alternatively, the region information 700 may be represented in another format. The region information 700 may be stored in RAM 104 in association with the scanned image. The region information 700 has a record for each mask region set for the scanned image.

[0058] Column 701 stores an identifier for uniquely identifying a mask region. Column 702 stores the type of method for specifying the position of the mask region. Column 702 may have values ​​such as "coordinates", "text", and "attribute". Column 703 stores the coordinate values ​​of the start point of the mask region. The coordinate values ​​may be expressed in the format of (horizontal coordinate value, vertical coordinate value) with the upper left corner of the scanned image as the origin. Column 704 stores the coordinate values ​​of the end point of the mask region. The mask region is a rectangle whose diagonal is the point represented by column 703 and the point represented by column 704. Column 705 stores the RGB values ​​of the color specified for the mask region.

[0059] When a mask area is added by the user or when preset information is read, the MFP 100 adds a record to the area information 700 for the current scanned image data. When a mask area is changed by the user, the MFP 100 updates the record corresponding to this mask area. When a mask area is deleted by the user, the MFP 100 deletes the record corresponding to this mask area.

[0060] In response to the user pressing button 615 on region setting screen 600, MFP 100 transitions the process to S308. In S308, MFP 100 generates a mask composite image by superimposing one or more mask regions set in region information 700 on the scanned image, and saves the mask composite image data in HDD 105. MFP 100 further saves in HDD 105 the region information 700 used to generate the mask composite image in association with the image identifier of the scanned image data.

[0061] In response to the completion of the generation and storage of the mask composite image data, in S309, the MFP 100 acquires the designation of the output contents. First, the MFP 100 displays the output confirmation screen 800 on the operation unit 111. The output confirmation screen 800 may be a screen for presenting the current output contents of the output image data to the user and acquiring the designation of the output contents from the user. The output confirmation screen 800 may acquire an instruction to change the output contents from the user. The output image data refers to the scan image data and the mask composite image data when the user instructs to save the scan image data, and refers to the mask composite image data when the user does not instruct to save the scan image data. When the preset setting is read to the RAM 104 in S303, the MFP 100 may display the output confirmation screen 800 in a state where the preset setting is reflected. When "default" is selected on the initial screen 400 displayed in S302, the MFP 100 may display the output confirmation screen 800 using the default setting.

[0062] An example of an output confirmation screen 800 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. A display area 801 includes objects related to printing. The display area 801 may be displayed only when printing is designated as the output method by the user. In the example of Fig. 8, the display area 801 includes a display field for acquiring a designation of the number of copies to be printed, and a button for acquiring an instruction to display a screen for making other print settings (e.g., double-sided, paper size, imposition, etc.).

[0063] The folder designation area 802 includes an object for confirming and changing the destination of the output image data. The folder designation area 802 may be displayed only when the user designates saving as the output method. In the example of FIG. 8, the folder designation area 802 includes a display field 811 indicating the currently set destination of the mask composite image data ("redacted file" in FIG. 8) and a change button 812 for acquiring an instruction to change the destination. Furthermore, the folder designation area 802 includes a display field 813 indicating the currently set destination of the scan image data ("original file" in FIG. 8) and a change button 814 for acquiring an instruction to change the destination. The objects 813 and 814 related to the scan image data may be displayed only when the user designates saving of the scan image data. In this way, the MFP 100 can individually acquire the designation of the destination of the scan image data and the designation of the destination of the mask composite data from the user using the output confirmation screen 800.

[0064] The save destination of the image data may be specified by the name of the storage service that provides the storage area (i.e., the storage service name) and the folder path. To allow the user to easily recognize the save destination, the MFP 100 may display the folder path after the storage service name as shown in Fig. 8. For example, the display field 811 in Fig. 8 shows that the currently set storage service name is "Cloud A" and the currently set folder path is "Investigation Report > Redaction". The display of the save destination on other screens may be similar.

[0065] The file name designation area 803 includes an object for confirming and changing the file name of the output image data. The file name designation area 803 may be displayed only when the user designates save as the output method. In the example of FIG. 8, the file name designation area 803 includes a display field 815 indicating the file name currently set for the mask composite image data, and a change button 816 for acquiring an instruction to change the file name. Furthermore, the file name designation area 803 includes a display field 817 indicating the file name currently set for the scan image data, and a change button 818 for acquiring an instruction to change the file name. The object related to the scan image data may be displayed only when the user designates save of the scan image data. In this way, the MFP 100 can use the output confirmation screen 800 to individually acquire the designation of the file name of the scan image data and the designation of the file name of the mask composite data from the user.

[0066] The check button 819 is an object for acquiring an instruction to register the settings in the current process (e.g., mask area and save destination) as preset settings. The button 820 is an object for acquiring an instruction to return to the previous screen (e.g., area setting screen 600). The button 821 is an object for acquiring an instruction to start outputting (printing, saving, or both) the output image data.

[0067] In response to a user pressing the change button 812 on the output confirmation screen 800, the MFP 100 displays a save destination setting screen 900 on the operation unit 111. The MFP 100 may display the save destination setting screen 900 by overlaying it on the output confirmation screen 800. An example of the save destination setting screen 900 will be described with reference to FIG. 9(a).

[0068] The pull-down list 901 is an object for acquiring the designation of a storage service for saving the composite image data. When the save destination setting screen 900 is displayed, the MFP 100 sets the storage services included in the currently set save destination as the initial value of the pull-down list 901. In the example of FIG. 9(a), "Cloud A" is selected. In response to a specific storage service being selected from the pull-down list 901, the MFP 100 starts a connection to the selected storage service. When user authentication is required to use the storage service, the MFP 100 may display a screen (not shown) for acquiring authentication information from the user and transmit the authentication information acquired from the user to the storage service. In response to the storage service becoming available, the MFP 100 displays a list 903 of folders available in the storage service.

[0069] The display field 902 is an object for displaying a folder path specified by the user. When the save destination setting screen 900 is displayed, the MFP 100 sets the folder path included in the currently set save destination as the initial value of the display field 902. In the example of Fig. 9(a), the "Investigation Report" folder is selected.

[0070] List 903 is an object for displaying one or more folders that can be used in the storage service selected from pull-down list 901 and for obtaining the selection of any of the folders. The MFP 100 changes the folder path specified in display field 902 in response to the user selecting any of the one or more folders displayed in list 903.

[0071] When the selected folder has a subordinate folder, the MFP 100 updates the list 903 to display the subordinate folder in response to a double tap or long press on a folder in the list 903. For example, when the "investigation report" folder in the list 903 has a subordinate folder, the MFP 100 changes the list 903 to the one shown in FIG. 9B in response to a double tap or long press on the "investigation report" folder. In this example, it is shown that the "investigation report" folder includes a "redacted" folder and a "original" folder. Also, in the example of FIG. 9B, it is shown that the "original" folder is selected. Therefore, the display in the display field 902 is updated to "investigation report>redacted". In this way, the user can arbitrarily change the output destination of the output image data using the save destination setting screen 900.

[0072] The button 904 is an object for acquiring an instruction to discard the settings specified on the save destination setting screen 900, close the save destination setting screen 900, and display the output confirmation screen 800. The button 905 is an object for acquiring an instruction to reflect the settings specified on the save destination setting screen 900. In response to the user pressing the button 905, the MFP 100 closes the save destination setting screen 900 and displays the output confirmation screen 800. The MFP 100 changes the save destination currently set for the mask composite image data to a combination of the storage service selected in the pull-down list 901 and the folder path specified in the display field 902. The MFP 100 changes the display in the display field 811 to this new save destination.

[0073] In response to the user pressing the Change button 814 on the output confirmation screen 800, the MFP 100 displays the save destination setting screen 900 on the operation unit 111. The operation of the save destination setting screen 900 when the Change button 814 is pressed may be the same as the above-mentioned operation of the save destination setting screen 900 when the Change button 812 is pressed. In response to the user pressing a button 905, the MFP 100 closes the save destination setting screen 900 and displays the output confirmation screen 800. The MFP 100 changes the save destination currently set for the scanned image data to a combination of the storage service selected in the pull-down list 901 and the folder path specified in the display field 902. The MFP 100 changes the display in the display field 813 to this new save destination.

[0074] In response to a user pressing the change button 816 on the output confirmation screen 800, the MFP 100 displays the name setting screen 1000 on the operation unit 111. The MFP 100 may display the name setting screen 1000 by overlapping it on the output confirmation screen 800. An example of the name setting screen 1000 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0075] The display field 1001 is an object for displaying the currently set name. The object 1002 is an object for acquiring a designation of a fixed character string to be added to the end of the name displayed in the display field 1001. The fixed character string may be a character string that does not depend on the context at the time of input by the user. For example, in response to the user pressing a button labeled "Text", the MFP 100 displays a keyboard (not shown) for text input and acquires input of an arbitrary character string from the user. Thereafter, the MFP 100 adds this character string to the end of the name displayed in the display field 1001. In response to the user pressing a button labeled with a delimiter (such as a hyphen, underscore, or blank), the MFP 100 adds this delimiter to the end of the name displayed in the display field 1001.

[0076] Object 1002 is an object for obtaining a specification of a variable string to be added to the end of the name displayed in display field 1001. The variable string may be a string that depends on the context at the time of input by the user. In the example of Fig. 10, a string representing a date and time is used as the variable string. Alternatively or in addition to this, the variable string may include other strings, a user name for logging in to a storage service, etc.

[0077] When a user presses a button labeled with a unit of time (year, month, day, hour, minute, second, etc.), MFP100 determines a character string corresponding to this unit based on the context at the time of user input. MFP100 then adds the determined character string to the end of the name displayed in display field 1001. The context at the time of user input may be the date and time when the scan was performed in S305, or the date and time when a button included in object 1003 was pressed. Providing object 1003 allows the user to easily input date and time information into the name.

[0078] The display field 1004 is an object for displaying the type of the button in the object 1002 and the object 1003 used by the user to set the name. The text displayed in the display field 1004 may be called a name rule because it is used to determine the name. In response to the button included in the object 1002 being pressed by the user, the MFP 100 also adds a character string added to the end of the name displayed in the display field 1001 to the end of the rule displayed in the display field 1004. In response to the button included in the object 1003 being pressed by the user, the MFP 100 adds a character string representing the type of the pressed button to the end of the name rule displayed in the display field 1004. The character string representing the type of the pressed button may be called a variable name. For example, when a button labeled "Year" is pressed by the user, the MFP 100 adds "{Year}" to the end of the name rule displayed in the display field 1004. By displaying a character string (variable name) representing the type of button in this manner, the user can easily understand that the name has been set using a variable character string.

[0079] Button 1005 is an object for acquiring an instruction to delete the character string from the end of the name displayed in display field 1001. When the character string at the end of the name in display field 1001 is a fixed character string, MFP 100 deletes one character from the end of the name in display field 1001 in response to a single press of button 1005. Furthermore, MFP 100 deletes one character from the end of the name rule in display field 1004 in conjunction with the deletion of one character from the end of the name.

[0080] When the character string at the end of the name in display field 1001 is a variable character string, MFP 100 deletes the variable character string at the end of the name in display field 1001 in a lump in response to a single press of button 1005. For example, when the end of the name is "05" added by pressing a button labeled "day", MFP 100 deletes the two characters "05" from the end of the name in a lump. Furthermore, MFP 100 deletes the variable name at the end of the name rule in display field 1004 in conjunction with the deletion of the one character at the end of the name. When the end of the name is "{day}" added by pressing a button labeled "day", MFP 100 deletes the three characters "{day}" from the end of the name in a lump.

[0081] Button 1006 is an object for obtaining an instruction to discard the settings specified on name setting screen 1000, close name setting screen 1000, and display output confirmation screen 800. Button 1007 is an object for obtaining an instruction to reflect the settings specified on name setting screen 1000. In response to the user pressing button 1007, MFP 100 closes name setting screen 1000 and displays output confirmation screen 800. MFP 100 changes the file name currently set for the mask composite image data to the name specified in display field 1001. MFP 100 changes the display in display field 815 to this new file name.

[0082] In response to the user pressing Change button 818 on output confirmation screen 800, MFP 100 displays name setting screen 1000 on operation unit 111. The operation of name setting screen 1000 when Change button 818 is pressed may be the same as the above-mentioned operation of name setting screen 1000 when Change button 816 is pressed. In response to the user pressing button 1007, MFP 100 closes name setting screen 1000 and displays output confirmation screen 800. MFP 100 changes the file name currently set for the scanned image data to the name specified in display field 1001. MFP 100 changes the display in display field 817 to this new file name.

[0083] Referring again to FIG. 3, in response to button 821 being pressed by the user on output confirmation screen 800, MFP 100 transitions the process to S310. In S310, MFP 100 determines whether or not an instruction has been given to register the current settings as a preset setting. The current settings may be settings designated by the user in S301 to S309. The settings designated by the user may include both settings that are left as initial values ​​and settings that have been changed by the user. If it is determined that an instruction has been given to register the current settings as a preset setting ("YES" in S310), MFP 100 transitions the process to S311, and otherwise ("NO" in S310), transitions the process to S312. This determination may be made based on whether check button 819 on output confirmation screen 800 is in a checked state.

[0084] In S311, MFP 100 registers the current settings as preset settings. For example, MFP 100 may save preset information 1100 including the current settings in HDD 105. An example of preset information 1100 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, preset information 1100 is represented in a table format. Alternatively, preset information 1100 may be represented in another format. Preset information 1100 has a record for each preset setting. In FIG. 11, one record is represented divided into two lines.

[0085] Column 1101 stores an identifier (preset ID) for uniquely identifying a preset setting. The preset ID may be a number, symbol, alphabet, or the like for uniquely identifying a preset setting. The MFP 100 may generate a new identifier each time S310 is executed. Column 1102 stores the name of the preset setting. The value of column 1102 may be displayed on a button on the preset selection screen 410. The MFP 100 may display a screen (not shown) on the operation unit 111 for acquiring the name of the preset setting from the user, and acquire the name from the user through this screen.

[0086] Column 1103 stores the output method of image data. The MFP 100 stores the settings specified by the output setting object 501, the pull-down list 502, and the check button 503 on the scan execution screen 500 in column 1103. For example, when the check button 503 is checked, column 1103 contains the character string "Save original."

[0087] Column 1104 stores scan settings. The MFP 100 stores settings specified in the scan setting object 504 on the scan execution screen 500 in column 1104. Column 1105 stores information related to a mask area. The MFP 100 stores information related to a mask area specified on the area setting screen 600 in column 1105.

[0088] Column 1106 stores settings related to saving output image data. Column 1106 may include a save destination and a file name of mask composite image data, and a save destination and a file name of scan image data. Column 1106 may include a name rule specified in display field 1004 of name setting screen 1000 instead of a file name. When a preset setting including a name rule for a file name is used in the method of FIG. 3 from the next time onwards, MFP 100 may determine a file name that complies with the name rule based on the context at that time and use it as an initial value. For example, MFP 100 may convert a variable character string included in the name rule into a date and time when a scan is performed in a new process.

[0089] Column 1107 stores settings related to printing. The MFP 100 stores the print settings specified on the output confirmation screen 800 in column 1107.

[0090] The MFP 100 uses the settings included in the preset information 1100 as follows: In S312, MFP 100 determines whether printing of the mask composite image has been instructed. If it is determined that printing of the mask composite image has been instructed ("YES" in S312), MFP 100 transitions the process to S313, and otherwise ("NO" in S312), transitions the process to S314. This determination may be made based on a selection in output setting object 501 of scan execution screen 500. In S314, MFP 100 prints the mask composite image.

[0091] In S314, the MFP 100 determines whether or not an instruction to save the mask composite image data has been given. If it is determined that an instruction to save the mask composite image data has been given ("YES" in S314), the MFP 100 transitions the process to S315, and otherwise ("NO" in S314), the MFP 100 transitions the process to S316. This determination may be made based on a selection in the output setting object 501 on the scan execution screen 500.

[0092] In S315, the MFP 100 saves the mask composite image data in a save destination designated by the user. For example, first, the MFP 100 converts the mask composite image data into a file format designated in the pull-down list 502 of the scan execution screen 500. After that, the MFP 100 saves the mask composite image data in a save destination designated in a display field 811 of the output confirmation screen 800, with a file name designated in a display field 815 of the output confirmation screen 800. Specifically, the MFP 100 requests the storage server 120, which provides a storage service designated as the save destination, to save the mask composite image data in a folder path designated by the user, with a file name designated by the user. The storage server 120 saves the mask composite image data in accordance with this request.

[0093] In S316, MFP 100 determines whether or not an instruction to save the scanned image data has been given. If it is determined that an instruction to save the scanned image data has been given ("YES" in S316), MFP 100 transitions the process to S317, and otherwise ("NO" in S316), ends the process. This determination may be made based on whether check button 503 on scan execution screen 500 is in a checked state.

[0094] In S317, MFP 100 saves the scanned image data in a save destination designated by the user. For example, first, MFP 100 converts the scanned image data into a file format designated in pull-down list 502 of scan execution screen 500. Then, MFP 100 saves the scanned image data in a save destination designated in display field 813 of output confirmation screen 800, with a file name designated in display field 817 of output confirmation screen 800. Specifically, MFP 100 requests storage server 120 providing a storage service designated as a save destination to save the scanned image data in a folder path designated by the user, with a file name designated by the user. Storage server 120 saves the scanned image data in accordance with this request.

[0095] 3, the MFP 100 may end the masking application and display the main screen of the MFP 100, or may return to the process of S301 and display the initial screen 400.

[0096] The order in which S310, S312, S314, and S316 are executed is not limited to the above example. These steps may be executed in a different order, or may be executed in parallel. S310, S312, S314, and S316 are executed in response to the user pressing button 821 on output confirmation screen 1200. Therefore, when the user instructs to save both the mask composite image data and the scan image data, MFP 100 starts saving both the mask composite image data and the scan image data in response to a single instruction from the user, namely pressing button 821.

[0097] In the method of FIG. 3, the user may instruct to save the mask composite image data and the scan image data in the same folder. When the MFP 100 acquires this instruction, the MFP 100 saves the mask composite image data and the scan image data in the same folder. For example, the user may issue such an instruction when it is determined that an access right is set for the specified folder and there is no security risk. Alternatively, the user may instruct to save the mask composite image data and the scan image data in separate folders. When the MFP 100 acquires this instruction, the MFP 100 saves the mask composite image data and the scan image data in separate folders.

[0098] In the method of Fig. 3, scanned image data is used as image data before masking processing is performed. The image data before masking processing is not necessarily image data generated by scanning. For example, the MFP 100 may receive image data from another device and perform masking processing on the image data.

[0099] In the above description, each step of the method in Fig. 3 is executed by an information processing device (i.e., control unit 101) not included in MFP 100. Alternatively, some steps of the method in Fig. 3 (e.g., S307 to S309 and S314 to S317) may be executed by an information processing device not included in MFP 100.

[0100] According to the first embodiment, the MFP 100 acquires from the user a designation of a destination to save the mask composite image data and a designation of a destination to save the scan image data, respectively. This allows the scan image data to be securely saved. Appropriate access rights may be set for the folders in which these pieces of image data are saved. For example, the user can designate that the mask composite image data and the scan image data are saved in separate folders. In addition to or instead of this, the user can designate that the scan image data is saved in a folder different from a folder in which other people's scan image data is saved. This can prevent other people from viewing the user's scan image data.

[0101] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment will be described. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and explanations of matters that may be the same as in the first embodiment will be omitted. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method of specifying the save destination. Specifically, in the second embodiment, an output confirmation screen 1200 is displayed instead of an output confirmation screen 800.

[0102] An example of an output confirmation screen 1200 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The output confirmation screen 1200 differs from the output confirmation screen 800 in that it has a folder designation area 1201 instead of the folder designation area 802 and the file name designation area 803, but may be the same in other respects.

[0103] The folder designation area 1201 includes an object for confirming and changing the destination of the output image data. The folder designation area 1201 may be displayed only when the user has designated the save as the output method. In the example of FIG. 12, the folder designation area 1201 includes a display field 1202 indicating the root folder of the save destination currently set for the output image data, and a change button 1203 for acquiring an instruction to change the root folder. The folder designation area 1201 also includes a display field 1204 indicating the folder name of the save destination currently set for the mask composite image data ("redacted folder name" in FIG. 12), and a change button 1205 for acquiring an instruction to change the folder name. The folder designation area 1201 also includes a display field 1206 indicating the folder name of the save destination currently set for the scan image data ("original folder name" in FIG. 12), and a change button 1207 for acquiring an instruction to change the folder name. The object related to the scan image data may be displayed only when the user has designated the save of the scan image data.

[0104] In the second embodiment, the save destination of image data may be specified by the storage service name, the folder path of the root folder, and the folder name. To allow the user to easily recognize the save destination, the MFP 100 may display the folder path of the root folder after the storage service name, as shown in Fig. 12. For example, the display field 1202 in Fig. 12 shows that the set storage service name is "Cloud A" and the folder path of the root folder is "Research Report."

[0105] In response to the user pressing the Change button 1203 on the output confirmation screen 1200, the MFP 100 displays the save destination setting screen 900 on the operation unit 111. The operation of the save destination setting screen 900 when the Change button 1203 is pressed may be similar to the above-described operation of the save destination setting screen 900 when the Change button 812 is pressed in the first embodiment. In response to the user pressing the button 905, the MFP 100 closes the save destination setting screen 900 and displays the output confirmation screen 1200. The MFP 100 changes the currently set root folder to a combination of the storage service selected in the pull-down list 901 and the folder path specified in the display field 902. The MFP 100 changes the display in the display field 1202 to this new root folder.

[0106] In response to the user pressing the Change button 1205 on the output confirmation screen 1200, the MFP 100 displays the name setting screen 1000 on the operation unit 111. The operation of the name setting screen 1000 when the Change button 1205 is pressed may be similar to the above-described operation of the name setting screen 1000 when the Change button 816 is pressed in the first embodiment. In response to the user pressing the button 1007, the MFP 100 closes the name setting screen 1000 and displays the output confirmation screen 1200. The MFP 100 changes the folder name currently set for the mask composite image data to the name specified in the display field 1001. The MFP 100 changes the display in the display field 1204 to this new folder name.

[0107] In response to the user pressing the Change button 1207 on the output confirmation screen 1200, the MFP 100 displays the name setting screen 1000 on the operation unit 111. The operation of the name setting screen 1000 when the Change button 1207 is pressed may be similar to the above-described operation of the name setting screen 1000 when the Change button 816 is pressed in the first embodiment. In response to the user pressing the button 1007, the MFP 100 closes the name setting screen 1000 and displays the output confirmation screen 1200. The MFP 100 changes the folder name currently set for the scanned image data to the name specified in the display field 1001. The MFP 100 changes the display in the display field 1206 to this new folder name.

[0108] As described above, in the second embodiment, acquiring a designation of a destination to save the mask composite image data from a user includes acquiring a designation of a folder path of a root folder and a designation of a name (folder name) of a folder to store the mask composite image data. Similarly, acquiring a designation of a destination to save the scan image data from a user includes acquiring a designation of a folder path of a root folder and a designation of a name (folder name) of a folder to store the scan image data. The user can use the save destination setting screen 900 to select the folder path of the root folder from existing folders configured in the storage service. Meanwhile, the user can use the name setting screen 1000 to arbitrarily designate the name of a folder to save the output image data. The MFP 100 may notify an error when the folder name designated by the user does not satisfy the naming rules defined by the storage service.

[0109] In response to the user pressing the button 821 on the output confirmation screen 1200, the MFP 100 determines the folder path of the destination folder and the file name of the output image data. For example, the MFP 100 determines the destination folder path for the mask composite image data by adding the folder name specified in the display field 1204 to the folder path of the root folder specified in the display field 1202. Furthermore, the MFP 100 may determine the file name of the output image data based on the destination folder name. For example, the MFP 100 may determine the file name of the mask composite image data by adding the extension of the file format specified by the user to the end of the folder name specified in the display field 1204. The same applies to the scanned image data. Alternatively, as in the first embodiment, the output confirmation screen 1200 may include a file name specification area 803. The MFP 100 may obtain the specification of the file name from the user through the file name specification area 803. The MFP 100 may determine the file name of at least one of the mask composite image data and the scanned image data based on the destination folder name.

[0110] In the second embodiment, the MFP 100 may further store the root folder set in the display field 1202 of the output confirmation screen 800 in the column 1106 of the preset information 1100 when executing S311.

[0111] In the second embodiment, MFP 100 may execute the operation shown in Fig. 13 as S315. In S1301, MFP 100 determines whether a folder with a folder name specified by the user as a save destination of the mask composite image data exists in storage server 120. If MFP 100 determines that such a folder exists in storage server 120 ("YES" in S1301), it transitions the process to S1303, and if it determines that such a folder does not exist in storage server 120 ("NO" in S1301), it transitions the process to S1302.

[0112] In S1302, the MFP 100 creates a folder with a folder name designated by the user as a destination for storing the mask composite image data under the root folder of the destination currently set for the mask composite image data. Specifically, the MFP 100 requests the storage server 120 to create such a folder.

[0113] In S1303, the MFP 100 saves the mask composite image data in a folder having a folder name designated by the user as a save destination of the mask composite image data. When S1302 is executed, the mask composite image data is saved in a newly created folder. When S1302 is not executed, the mask composite image data is saved in an existing folder.

[0114] In the second embodiment, the MFP 100 may execute the operation shown in Fig. 13 as S317. In the operation of Fig. 13, a scanned image is used instead of the mask composite image data. In S1302, when the MFP 100 newly creates a folder for storing the scanned image, the MFP 100 may set an access right for the folder based on a user's account. For example, the MFP 100 may set the access right so that only the user who is executing the process of Fig. 3 can access the folder. Alternatively, the MFP 100 may set the access right so that only members of a group to which the user who is executing the process of Fig. 3 belongs can access the folder.

[0115] According to the second embodiment, the user can arbitrarily specify the name of the folder in which the output image data is to be saved, regardless of the folder structure established in the storage service, thereby improving the usability of the MFP 100.

[0116] <Third embodiment> A third embodiment will be described. Below, differences from the second embodiment will be described, and explanations of matters that may be the same as those in the second embodiment will be omitted. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the method of specifying the save destination. Specifically, in the third embodiment, an output confirmation screen 1400 is displayed instead of the output confirmation screen 1200.

[0117] 14(a), an example of an output confirmation screen 1400 will be described. The output confirmation screen 1200 differs from the output confirmation screen 1200 in that it has a folder creation button 1401, but may be the same in other respects. The folder creation button 1401 is an object for acquiring an instruction to automatically create a folder in which to save the output image data.

[0118] In response to a user pressing a folder creation button 1401 on an output confirmation screen 1400, the MFP 100 displays a folder creation screen 1410 on the operation unit 111. The MFP 100 may display the folder creation screen 1410 by superimposing it on the output confirmation screen 1400. An example of the folder creation screen 1410 will be described with reference to FIG. 14(b).

[0119] The folder configuration for storing the mask composite image data and the scan image data may be roughly divided into two configurations. In one configuration, these two image data are stored in the same hierarchical level, and in the other configuration, these two image data are stored in different hierarchical levels. In the latter configuration, the two image data may be stored in two folders that are in a parent-child relationship.

[0120] The configuration in which the two image data are stored in the same hierarchical layer may include a configuration in which the two image data are stored in the same folder, and a configuration in which the two image data are stored in separate folders.

[0121] Folder creation screen 1410 may include four buttons 1411-1414 for acquiring a designation of a folder configuration. Buttons 1411-1414 may be alternatively selectable. In response to button 1416 being pressed by the user while any of buttons 1411-1414 is selected, MFP 100 executes a process, described later, corresponding to the selected button. In this process, MFP 100 may use a preset setting selected by the user (specifically, the name of column 1102). When a preset setting is to be used, if no preset was selected in S301, MFP 100 may display preset selection screen 410 on operation unit 111 and acquire a selection of a preset setting from the user.

[0122] The button 1411 is for acquiring an instruction to save the mask composite image data and the scan image data in the same folder. When the button 1411 is selected by the user, the MFP 100 determines to save the mask composite image data and the scan image data in the same folder. For example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), the MFP 100 determines to save both the mask composite image data 1501 and the scan image data 1502 in the folder 1510. The folder 1510 may be located immediately below the root folder 1500. The root folder 1500 may be a root folder designated by the user in the folder designation area 1201.

[0123] The MFP 100 may automatically determine the name of the folder 1510. For example, the MFP 100 may determine the name of the folder 1510 as a character string obtained by connecting the name of the preset setting specified by the user and the current year, month, day, hour, and minute with underscores. For example, the name of the folder 1510 may be "Company A_Investigation Report_202305010900". In this process, "present" may be the time when the button 1411 is pressed, the time when the button 1416 is pressed, or the time when the scan is completed in S305. The MFP 100 stores the determined folder structure and folder name in the RAM 104 for subsequent processing.

[0124] The button 1412 is for acquiring an instruction to save the mask composite image data and the scan image data in separate folders at the same level. When the button 1412 is selected by the user, the MFP 100 determines to save the mask composite image data and the scan image data in separate folders at the same level. For example, as shown in FIG. 15B, the MFP 100 determines to save the mask composite image data 1501 in the folder 1521 and the scan image data 1502 in the folder 1522. Both the folder 1521 and the folder 1522 may be located directly under the folder 1520. The folder 1520 may be located directly under the root folder 1500.

[0125] The MFP 100 may automatically determine the names of the folders 1520 to 1522. The name of the folder 1520 may be the same as the name of the folder 1510 (for example, "Company A_investigation report_202305010900"). The MFP 100 may determine the name of the folder 1521 as a character string obtained by connecting the name of the folder 1520 and a character string indicating that the masked composite image data 1501 is to be saved (for example, "redacted") with an underscore. For example, the name of the folder 1521 may be "Company A_investigation report_202305010900_redacted". The MFP 100 may determine the name of the folder 1522 as a character string obtained by connecting the name of the folder 1520 and a character string indicating that the scanned image data 1502 is to be saved (for example, "original") with an underscore. For example, the name of folder 1521 may be "Company A_Investigation Report_202305010900_Redacted."

[0126] The button 1413 is for acquiring an instruction to save the mask composite image data in a child folder and to save the scanned image data in a parent folder. When the button 1413 is selected by a user, the MFP 100 determines to save the mask composite image data in a child folder and to save the scanned image data in a parent folder. For example, as shown in FIG. 15(c), the MFP 100 determines to save the mask composite image data 1501 in a folder 1531 and to save the scanned image data 1502 in a folder 1530. The folder 1531 may be located immediately under the folder 1530. The folder 1530 may be located immediately under the root folder 1500.

[0127] The MFP 100 may automatically determine the names of the folders 1530 and 1531. The name of the folder 1530 may be the same as the name of the folder 1522 (for example, "Company A_investigation report_202305010900_original"). The name of the folder 1531 may be the same as the name of the folder 1521 (for example, "Company A_investigation report_202305010900_redacted").

[0128] The button 1414 is for acquiring an instruction to save the mask composite image data in a parent folder and to save the scan image data in a child folder. When the button 1414 is selected by a user, the MFP 100 determines to save the mask composite image data in the parent folder and to save the scan image data in the child folder. For example, as shown in FIG. 15(d), the MFP 100 determines to save the mask composite image data 1501 in a folder 1540 and to save the scan image data 1502 in a folder 1541. The folder 1541 may be located immediately under the folder 1540. The folder 1540 may be located immediately under the root folder 1500.

[0129] The MFP 100 may automatically determine the names of the folders 1540 and 1541. The name of the folder 1540 may be the same as the name of the folder 1521 (for example, "Company A_investigation report_202305010900_redacted"). The name of the folder 1541 may be the same as the name of the folder 1522 (for example, "Company A_investigation report_202305010900_original").

[0130] The MFP 100 may automatically determine file names for the mask composite image data 1501 and the scan image data 1502. When any of the buttons 1412 to 1414 is selected, the MFP 100 may determine, as the file name, a character string obtained by adding an extension of a file format designated by the user to the end of the name of a folder that stores the image data. When the button 1411 is selected, the MFP 100 may determine file names for the mask composite image data 1501 and the scan image data 1502 such that the image data have different file names. For example, for the mask composite image data 1501, the MFP 100 may insert a character string indicating the mask composite image data 1501 (for example, "redacted") between the folder name and the extension. For the scan image data 1502, the MFP 100 may insert a character string indicating the scan image data 1502 (for example, "original") between the folder name and the extension. Instead of automatically determining the file name, the MFP 100 may obtain a file name designation from the user.

[0131] The MFP 100 stores the folder structure, folder name, and file name determined as described above in the RAM 104 for subsequent processing. In the third embodiment, the MFP 100 may further store a setting of a method for generating a folder structure designated by the user in the column 1106 of the preset information 1100 when executing S311. In this case, the MFP 100 may replace a part of the folder name with a variable character string. Furthermore, the MFP 100 may clearly indicate the folder structure. For example, the MFP 100 may store a setting of "(parent folder) {preset name}_{year}{month}{day}{hour}{minute}_redacted, (child folder) {preset name}_{year}{month}{day}{hour}{minute}_original" as the folder structure in the column 1106. "{preset name}" is a variable character string representing the name of a preset setting, and when this setting is used, it is replaced with the name of the preset setting designated by the user at that time.

[0132] In this embodiment, a single object for obtaining an instruction to automatically generate a folder structure is provided to the user, so that the user can specify the structure of the folder in which the output image data is to be saved simply by selecting this object. This improves the convenience of the MFP 100. In addition, by automatically adding the current date and time to the folder name, the scanned image data can be saved in a folder different from the folder used during previous execution. This further improves security.

[0133] <Other embodiments> The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0134] <Summary of the embodiment> [Item 1] An information processing device, A generating means for generating second image data by performing a masking process on the first image data; An acquisition means for acquiring a first storage destination designation and a second storage destination designation from a user individually; a storage unit configured to store the first image data in the first storage destination and to store the second image data in the second storage destination. [Item 2] The information processing device is included in an image forming device, 2. The information processing apparatus according to item 1, wherein the acquiring unit acquires the designation of the first storage destination and the designation of the second storage destination using an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. [Item 3] 3. The information processing device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the storage means starts storing both the first image data and the second image data in response to a single instruction from the user. [Item 4] 4. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the saving means determines a file name of at least one of the first image data and the second image data based on a folder name of a save destination. [Item 5] acquiring a designation of the first storage destination and a designation of the second storage destination from the user individually, the designation of a first folder name and a designation of a second folder name being acquired from the user individually; The storage means includes: If a folder with the first folder name does not exist, a first folder with the first folder name is generated, and the first image data is stored in the first folder; 5. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein if a folder with the second folder name does not exist, a second folder with the second folder name is generated and the second image data is stored in the second folder. [Item 6] 6. The information processing device according to item 5, wherein the storage means sets access rights for the second folder based on an account of the user when creating the second folder. [Item 7] The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the acquisition means provides the user with a single graphic object for acquiring an instruction from the user to save the first image data and the second image data in the same folder. [Item 8] The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the acquisition means provides the user with a single graphic object for acquiring an instruction from the user to save the first image data and the second image data in separate folders. [Item 9] A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 8. [Item 10] 1. An information processing method, comprising: A generating step in which a generating means generates second image data by performing a masking process on the first image data; an acquisition step of acquiring a first storage destination designation and a second storage destination designation from a user individually; A method for processing information, comprising: a storing step of storing, by a storing means, the first image data in the first storage destination, and the second image data in the second storage destination.

[0135] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 100 MFPs, 120 storage servers

Claims

1. An information processing device, A generation means for generating a second image data by performing a masking process on the first image data, A means for obtaining the first storage location specification and the second storage location specification individually from the user, An information processing device comprising: storage means for storing the first image data in the first storage location and the second image data in the second storage location.

2. The aforementioned information processing apparatus is included in the image forming apparatus, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires the designation of the first storage location and the designation of the second storage location using the operating unit of the image forming apparatus.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means initiates both the storage of the first image data and the storage of the second image data in response to a single instruction from the user.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means determines the file name of at least one of the first image data and the second image data based on the name of the destination folder.

5. Obtaining the first save location specification and the second save location specification individually from the user includes obtaining the first folder name specification and the second folder name specification individually from the user. The aforementioned storage means is If a folder with the first folder name does not exist, a first folder with the first folder name is created, and the first image data is saved in the first folder. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if a folder with the second folder name does not exist, a second folder with the second folder name is created and the second image data is stored in the second folder.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the storage means sets access rights to the first folder based on the user's account when generating the first folder.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means provides the user with a single graphic object for acquiring an instruction from the user to save the first image data and the second image data in the same folder.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means provides the user with a single graphic object for acquiring instructions from the user to save the first image data and the second image data in separate folders.

9. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Information processing method, The generation means includes a generation step of generating a second image data by performing a masking process on the first image data, The acquisition means includes an acquisition step of individually obtaining the designation of a first storage location and the designation of a second storage location from the user, An information processing method comprising a storage step of storing the first image data in the first storage location and the second image data in the second storage location.

Images